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PPWR
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Packaging waste is growing faster than our economies and population, placing increasing pressure on natural resources, businesses and the environment. Although existing national laws already exist, progress has been fragmented, and current systems often remain inefficient, costly, and difficult to recycle.
5 tonnes of waste is produced by the average European each year. Only 38% of waste in the EU is recycled.
Over 60% of household waste still goes to landfill in some EU countries.
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PPWR
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the European response to this challenge: it establishes a common set of rules designed to significantly reduce packaging waste and accelerate the transition to circular, reusable, and recyclable packaging across the European market.
Its objectives are to minimise unnecessary packaging, ensure all packaging is recyclable by 2030, increase reuse and recycled content, and reduce overall environmental impact. PPWR entered into force in February 2025, the first requirements will apply from 12 August 2026, and introduces key major targets through 2030 and beyond.
The road to compliance is incredibly challenging, and the PPWR represents a real turning point for every actor in the packaging industry. To navigate this complexity, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
OUR EXPERTISE & CAPABILITIES
YOUR PARTNER FOR COMPLIANCE
PPWR is reshaping the packaging industry - and we’re here to help you stay ahead. We partner with customers to accelerate innovation, reduce risks, and unlock new business value.
DESIGN-SERVICES
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01.GUIDANCE
Regulatory guidance and continuous updates. Clear explanations of PPWR requirements, exceptions, and timelines and regular updates on delegated acts. External-facing documents to help you stay aligned with evolving obligations.
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02.Product Assessment
Portfolio assessment and gap analysis. Evaluation of materials, recyclability, design features, and compliance gaps. Identification of non‑compliant formats and improvement opportunities, including potential cost savings from recyclable or reusable designs.
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03.Compliant Solutions
Development of compliant packaging solutions. Alternative packaging options tailored to product and market needs. Co‑development of customised, regulation‑ready solutions that meet PPWR requirements. Collaboration with suppliers to ensure documentation, recyclability data, and technical specifications are available and compliant.
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04.Roadmap definition
Roadmap and action plan development. Support in building a clear packaging roadmap aligned with PPWR milestones (recyclability, reuse, minimisation, etc.). Training sessions tailored to help our you understand the main implications of the Regulation regarding your specific product-portfolio.
UNDERSTANDING KEY PPWR REQUIREMENTS
PPWR sets several requirements impacting the whole packaging lifecycle, from the design to its disposal and end of life, including requirements on recyclability, substances of concern, minimum percentage of recycled content in plastic packaging, packaging minimisation and empty space reductions, packaging bans, and reuse targets.
Limits on Substances of Concern
Deadline for compliance: August 2026
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Limits on Substances of Concern
Requirement
Operators must comply with heavy-metal limits (for all packaging), and meet PFAS limits specifically for food-contact packaging.
Meeting this requirement calls for robust technical documentation and a Declaration of Conformity, an effort that can only succeed through close collaboration across the value chain.
Recyclability
Deadline for compliance: January 2030
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Recyclability
Requirement
All packaging sold in the EU market must be recyclable.
Recyclability will be assessed through PPWR’s grading system, based on specific design for recycling criteria that shall ensure the circularity of the use of the resulting secondary raw materials (recycled materials) of sufficient quality to substitute the primary (virgin) raw materials, considering several elements, such as weighting, composition and decoration criteria.
The recyclability performance grades shall be as follows:
Grade A: Recyclability ≥ 95%
Grade B: Recyclability ≥ 80%
Grade C: Recyclability ≥ 70%
While we await the Delegated Acts that will define the official design‑for‑recycling criteria, we are already conducting recyclability assessments using sectors specific standards depending on the material to calculate packaging recyclability.
Packaging Minimisation
Deadline for compliance: January 2030
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Packaging Minimisation
Requirement
Packaging must be designed so that its weight and volume are reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure its functionality, taking into account its shape and the materials used. Oversized and overdesigned packaging with characteristics that are only aimed to increase the perceived volume of the product, including double walls, false bottoms, and unnecessary layers will be at compliance risk.
The performance criteria related to functionality that must be considered for packaging minimisation include product protection, packaging manufacturing and filling processes, logistics, transport and storage, packaging functionality for its intended use, consumer access to essential information on use, storage, hygiene and safety, as well as minimum recycled content, recyclability and reusability requirements under the Regulation.
Thorough mould and design reviews are essential at this stage to guarantee compliance with minimisation requirements.
Minimum PCR content in Plastic Packaging
Deadline for compliance: January 2030
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Minimum PCR content in Plastic Packaging
Requirement
Any plastic component of a packaging placed on the market shall contain the following minimum percentage of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste (PCR), per packaging type and format, calculated as an average per manufacturing plant and year:
30 % for contact-sensitive packaging made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the major component, except single-use plastic beverage bottles;
10 % for contact-sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET, except single-use plastic beverage bottles;
30 % for single-use plastic beverage bottles;
35 % for plastic packaging other than those referred to in points (a), (b) and (c).
We are enhancing supplier partnerships to achieve the required PCR content in plastic packaging, ensuring full feasibility in terms of aesthetics, performance, and intended use.
Reuse and Refill Obligations
Deadline for compliance: 2025, 2030
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Reuse and Refill Obligations
Requirement
From 11 February 2025, packaging placed on the market shall be deemed reusable if it meets the following conditions: it can be safely emptied, refilled, and handled without compromising hygiene, product quality, or the safety of those handling it; it is designed to maintain its function over multiple uses; it allows for proper labelling and the provision of information on safe use, traceability, and shelf-life; and it is suitable for recycling at the end of its life.
From 1 January 2030, economic operators using transport or sales packaging to move products within the Union, including beverage packaging (such as soft drinks, water, ready-to-drink juices and beer), transport packaging (including that used for e-commerce) and industrial packaging, shall ensure that such packaging is reusable and used within a re-use system.
Restrictions on the use of Packaging Formats
Deadline for compliance: 2030
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Restrictions on the use of Packaging Formats
Requirement
Economic operators shall not place on the market banned packaging formats:
Single-use plastic grouped packaging
Single-use plastic packaging for less than 1,5 kg prepacked fresh fruit and vegetables
Single-use plastic packaging in the HORECA sector
Single-use plastic packaging for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamer, sugar, and seasoning in HORECA sector
Single-use accommodation sector packaging for individual booking
Very lightweight plastic carrier bags